Nursing
Welcome to the Rend Lake College Nursing Department. We hope you will find the information needed to help you get started with a wonderful career in the nursing field. Specific questions about the application and admission to the program can be directed to the Director of Nursing at 618-437-5321 Ext. 1763.
Getting started with our Nursing program is easy. Follow the steps below, in order.
APPLY TO RLC
If you have never been a student at RLC, the first step is to apply to the college.
TEST
Once you are enrolled at RLC, the next step is to test. Click the button to learn all about Allied Health Testing and how to get started.
APPLY TO NURSING
The final step is to submit the application to our Nursing program.
Deadline To Apply Is March 31st.
About Our Program
The Associate Degree Nursing Program is designed to prepare nurses who, as beginning practitioners, are able to give quality nursing care to clients and function as members of nursing and health care teams. Registered nurses are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, physicians’ offices, clinics, and community agencies.The Rend Lake College nursing program at Rend Lake College at the Ina campus located in Ina, Illinois is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
The Associate Degree Nursing program is designed to provide career mobility with an emphasis focusing on critical thinking, problem-solving, decision making related to the clinical area, clinical reasoning, and nursing judgment. Graduates will be prepared to practice professional nursing in a variety of health care settings.
To remain in the program, the student must achieve a grade of “C” or better in each nursing course. It is also essential to demonstrate competence in dosage calculations and math skills. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation approves this program. Upon graduation, the student may be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses).
Please see the Nursing Handbook for complete curriculum information.
Nursing Program Mission Statement
Our mission is to prepare Associate Degree Nursing graduates to become lifelong learners and to function as multidisciplinary team members; able to provide safe, competent care addressing the changing needs of individuals, family, and the community across the lifespan. This goal is accomplished through instruction and practice of nursing skills, use of critical thinking and problem solving, and demonstration of effective oral and written communication throughout the steps of the nursing process.
Nursing Program Philosophy Statement
The philosophy of the Rend Lake College Associate Degree Nursing Program reflects the mission and vision of the college; embracing cultural diversity and viewing each student as having inherent worth and potential. The program prepares the student for professional nursing roles and is a dynamic process that promotes the synthesis of information from evidence-based research through general studies, the sciences, and nursing experiences. Faculty members serve as facilitators of learning, provide guided experiential opportunities, and assist students to expand their knowledge and attain competencies, as well as furthering the development of professional roles and values.Nursing education will be based on conceptualized learning and the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) core competencies of patient-centered care, teamwork and collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, safety, and informatics. Rend Lake College nursing faculty provide a learning environment that is student-friendly and promotes professional commitment and self-direction.
Rend Lake College Associate Degree Nursing Graduate Outcomes
Upon completion of the second year of Rend Lake College’s Associate Degree Nursing Program, the student will:- Demonstrate clinical judgment to provide individualized, holistic, culturally diverse, patient-centered care to individuals, families, and communities across the life span.
- Collaborate effectively with the interdisciplinary team and client system in the healthcare continuum.
- Utilize evidence-based practice for nursing interventions that are appropriate for diverse populations with multi-faceted healthcare needs across the lifespan.
- Manage healthcare for the individual using cost-effective nursing strategies, quality improvement processes, and current technology.
- Delegate safe nursing interventions in collaboration with the patient and family by utilizing leadership principles to provide competent patient care, health education, and health promotion.
- Incorporate healthcare information technology in nursing practice to improve the quality and safety of patient care throughout the nursing process.
- Demonstrate personal accountability and professionalism as defined in the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses
Special Admission Requirements For Two Year ADN Nursing Program
Admission of a student to the Associate Degree Nursing program shall be based solely on the qualifications of that student. College and state admissions policies are used to determine theses qualifications. All students wishing to enter the new two year ADN program must meet the following as minimum requirements:- Submit a completed Rend Lake College application form.
- Submit a completed Associate Degree Nursing program application.
- Be a graduate from an accredited high school or have successfully completed the GED exam.
- Submit official transcripts from all high schools (or official GED test scores) and post-secondary institutions attended.
- An overall college GPA of 2.0 is required for acceptance to Nursing program.
- Achieve a competitive score on the pre-entrance exam for the ADN program.
- Complete English 1101 with a grade of a "C" or better.
- Complete CNA 1201 with a grade of "C" or better.
- Complete MATH 1403, 1407, 1408 or higher unless math placement scores meet the following criteria:
- ASSET Intermediate Algebra Score: 39+
- ASSET College Algebra Score: 30+
- COMPASS Algebra Score: 64+
- COMPASS College Algebra Score: 24+
- ACT Math Score: 22+
- ACCUPLACER Elementary Algebra Score: 85+
- ACCUPLACER College Algebra Score: 63+
- SAT Math Score: 550+
Other requirements upon notification of conditional acceptance-see handbook
Degrees & Certificates in Nursing
ALLIED HEALTH DIVISIONNURSING - Degree
Associate in Applied Science Degree
The Nursing program is designed to provide a career mobility path for individuals interested in health care. The curriculum is a concept-based method of instruction emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, decision making, clinical reasoning, and nursing judgment. Graduates will be prepared to practice professional nursing in a variety of health care settings.
Students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in each course, as well as demonstrate competency in dosage calculations and math skills. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation approves this program. Upon graduation, the student is eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Students who prefer to test out at the practical nurse level may do so after completing the first two semesters of listed coursework and then completing NURS 1212 – Practical Nurse Role Development (4 credit hours).
The curriculum for this program has been developed to meet the licensing requirements for the State of Illinois. It is not determined whether the curriculum meets licensing requirements for any other states.
► Total = 64 Hours
1 Prerequisite course(s) may be required based on test scores.
2 ZOO 1105 & 1106 and MICR 1101 must have been completed within the last five years.
ACCELERATED BSN w/ SIUE
There has never been a better time to train for a great job in nursing. You can now earn a bachelor’s degree in the field without leaving the area, thanks to a new offer from Rend Lake College and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.RLC and SIUE have teamed up to offer an accelerated Bachelor of Nursing track. Students can take classes at RLC for three years and begin a job in their profession while working online to obtain their BSN from SIUE.
Third Semester (11 Cr. Hrs. at RLC & 4 Cr. Hrs. at SIUE)
- NURS 240R1 Pathophysiology (SIUE) (4)
- NURS 1214 Medications in Nursing (2)
- NURS 2212 Health Care Concepts (3)
- NURS 2213 Health Care Concepts Clinical (2)
- NURS 2214 Health Systems Concepts (3)
- NURS 2215 Health Systems Concepts Clinical (2)
- PSYC 2101 Intro to Psychology (3)
Additional General Ed Courses to Complete B.S. Degree (31 Cr. Hrs. at RLC)
FINE ARTS
- ART 1101 or
MUSI 1100 or
THEA 1106 (3)
- MATH 11053 Basic Concepts of Stats (3)
- MATH 1107 Contemporary College Math (3)
- PHIL 21013 Logic (3)
- PHIL 2104/21023 Ethics/Medical Ethics (3)
IS/EGC
- ART 2111 or
ENGL 2101/2113 or
PHIL 2103/2105 (3)
SS/PS/LS
- Additional Social/Life/Physical Science (3)
Physical Science
- AST 1101 or
GEOL 1101 or
MATH 1108 (3)
Electives (7)
LPN to RN BRIDGE
Current Licensed Practical Nurses interested in obtaining their associate degree in nursing may complete one, four-hour course before enrolling in the second year of the Associate Degree coursework. All program requirements apply. The student must be accepted into the Nursing Program and have completed ZOO 1106 with a “C” or better within the last five years, prior to enrollment.- NURS 1213 Intro to Health Concepts II (4)
PRACTICAL NURSING - Certificate
Students who prefer to test out at the practical nurse level may do so after completing two semesters of listed Associate Degree coursework and then completing NURS 1212.
The curriculum for this program has been developed to meet the licensing requirements for the State of Illinois. It is not determined whether the curriculum meets licensing requirements for any other states.
► Total = 37 Hours
Each course in the curriculum must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to meet program requirements.
Program Goals
- Determine appropriate fundamental skills needed to provide nursing care for patients.
- Identify appropriate pharmacology measures for safe administration of medications.
- Demonstrate the ability to choose appropriate leadership actions given specific situations.
- Perform as a competent and safe entry-level Registered Nurse
Nursing FAQ
Please read all application materials and the section of the catalogue that pertains to your program of interest. Many of your questions may be answered there.
Should I apply before I ask for the transcript to be sent?
You may turn in the application form before you ask other schools to send transcripts. As long as your file is complete before the deadline, it is not important in what order things arrive. It is your responsibility to make sure we receive everything needed for your file before the deadline.
Do I need my own computer?
Many courses include computer and Internet-based assignments. Having your own computer gives you more freedom in completing course assignments. Computer labs are available on campus for student use. As a student, you receive free access from home to the Internet and an email address.
Can I work while completing the programs?
This will depend on the type of job that you have. The nursing programs require a large amount of independent study time outside of class. While some students continue to work part-time throughout the program, most find this a challenge. We recommend that students plan their schedules prior to starting the program to ensure that they have enough time to attend to family matters, attend class and have time at home to complete independent study activities.Accreditation
The Rend Lake College nursing program at Rend Lake College at the Ina campus located in Ina, Illinois is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
https://www.acenursing.us/candidates/candidacy.asp
Articulation Agreements
Articulation agreements document a pathway between two or more colleges or universities and their academic programs.
Nursing Informational Meetings
Thinking of becoming a nurse? Attend one of our informational meetings below.
| No events |
Headlines
Faculty & Staff
Allied Health Division
Phone: (618) 437-5321 Ext. 1251
Email: [email protected]
Address: 468 N. Ken Gray Parkway, Ina, IL 62846 Attn: Allied Health
Fax Number: (618) 437-5677 Attn: Allied Health
Connect with us!
Academic Advisement Center
Administration Building, Office 115
[email protected] • 618.437.5321, Ext. 1266
College office hours
Monday - Thursday: 8 AM – 4:30 PM • Friday 8 AM – 4 PM
Monday – Thursday: 8 AM – 4 PM During Summer
Upcoming Events
| RLC Student Art Competition Mar 16 2023 |
| Diversity Week Mar 27 2023 |
| Diversity Week Mar 27 2023 |
| Monica Nia Jones, Miss Illinois Social Impact Initiative M.U.S.I.C Mar 27 2023 |
| Miss Illinois Monica Nia Jones - M.U.S.I.C (Music Uniting Souls in Communities) Mar 27 2023 |
| Stars & Constellations II Mar 27 2023 |
| Area Planning Council Meeting (APC) Mar 28 2023 |
| Film - "Resilience: The Biology of Stress & the Science of Hop" followed by Q&A with Brittany Warren, LCPC Mar 28 2023 |
| Radiologic Technology Open House Mar 28 2023 |
| Eating Disorders with Brittany Warren, LCPC Mar 29 2023 |